Back on Track

My needs:  Boards, paper bowls, AAA batteries.

Another quiet morning out there.  As I hobble around.  If all my feeding spots were raised, it wouldn't be half bad, but with my injury, I have to bend down to the ground, and its a KILLER.  It is so painful to bend down, and THEN GET BACK UP AGAIN!  Good lord!  More PT scheduled for next week, and a few more doctors after that.  This pain has got to go!

So I don't see the beautiful red male at Baldwin and Garson any more.  Its been a few days.  There was actually food left from yesterday under the tree when I arrived there this morning, as if no cats were around.  So many cats disappear - but I am spooked by a person who took special interest in me recently on Facebook and accused me of all sorts of things, one that I am racist, and another that I don't really feed cats where I say I am feeding them each day of my life.  This person claimed he came out at 2 am with a group of people with traps, food, etc. and tried to find me.  Could this person be going around and taking the cats off the street at these locations that I publish?  It does kind of concern me that this could be happening.  Not that I don't want these cats rescued, but what kind of situation are they going into?  This particular one was not neutered yet.

I am also missing the friendly mom cat I fed on Melville.  I had her spayed.  We could never trap the two grey kittens.

He was on my list.  He is somehow related to Mr. Bingsley who I rescued a few weeks back, and is now adopted out to a great guy and his female kitty cat.  They are still a bit standoffish, but will get here.

This brings me back to my post that I started but did not finish.  Let me see if I can remember what my point to it was going to be.

{Previous post}
So I just want to say today that I've been feeding cats in the city for a very long time now.  Ever since I went to the public market after moving into my first home, which was sort of near there, and going to the market very early in the morning on Saturdays, and seeing the eyes of cats in the dark illuminating.  And then going to get food for them.  And then building shelters for them.  And then before you know it, its now 19 locations, and over 100 cats that I feed.  I've been doing all this out of my own pocket.  I started to rescue those that were sick, or too young to be on the street.  I couldn't turn my back on those, back then.  My first post on this blog started out with discovering that there were newborns inside a mattress inside a dilapidated house that was due to be demolished the next day, the huge crane sitting in the driveway, ready to go.  I continued on for years, spending nearly $12K a year on food, and the occasional vetting.  Finally, two years ago, someone had suggested I get my 501c3 to save a little on money, and maybe some vet care.  So I did, and it was pro bono thanks to the old law firm I used to work for.  An awesome senior attorney named Ross and his associates worked diligently for me.

As time went on, I was rescuing more and more cats.  I didn't have fosters back then, and to this day, I have only about five who are serious enough that I can count on in a pinch.  Those five are full today, not able to take any more.  My own house is full.

I've had a few people questioning my judgment about posting pictures of sweet cats on the streets, and not removing them from the streets then and there.  I will get into this further on Monday, as time has run out on me and I must get to work.

When you TNR a cat, chances are they will not be waiting for you when you come back the next day.  They were totally frightened of what happened to them (trapped, and then not fed for a day, and then under the knife for spay or neuter, and then held hostage over night until returned to the streets). But chances are that over time, they will come back, and over more time, they will get closer and closer to you physically as you pour the food and water.  So much so that you can now touch them.  There are a few at a few locations where that is happening.  There are also cats that run right up to me, and follow me back to their shelters, ready for breakfast, or the only meal of their day, actually.  So when I say that there are cats out there that are adoptable, I mean some with some socialization needed (these are the semi-feral), they would be nice pets, and some are just ready (these are the true strays - once belonged by a human).  I was accused 'why don't I take them - how could I leave them' - actually, here is part of what was written:

"1) if this cat was feral and a street cat from the "hood" ,as the organization refers to the area, YOU WOULDNT BE ABLE TO GET CLOSE TO IT. even more so when it's INJURED or Sick!!! The fact that it let you touch it and inspect it goes against that. Maybe stray but not FERAL
2) Any TRUE animal rescue organization would have taken care of that issue at first chance .... especialy seeing how it is approachable. GREAT animal lover and rescuer... watch, feed, let suffer while you think of a "PLAN"
here is a plan get it to a vet what needs to be thought or planned.
3) After care for this cat??? will it be same as the others?? left in trap overnight on the organizations owners front porch then released back to the "hood" in morning. GREAT care for the animals. Trap - where's food, water, litter box? Trap - how sanitary is that? outside in trap on porch ...what only the perfect pretty kitties they post get to go inside even for a night?
4) what about follow up care ???
5) IF this cat let you touch and take it while injuried it is "workable" to foster and towards a forever home.... but then again only rescue organizations think or do this!

I am there will be more comments, messages and emails from the organization and it's "followers" insulting, name calling and diverting attention for the big picture."

This actually didn't bother me too much - the guy is a lunatic - until I asked a respected member of the animal community what she thought about it, and she said she agreed.  I was floored.  Hurt me to my core.  And that has bothered me

I am going to table this for today - gotta get to work - but I do have more to say on this.  Way more.

Have a nice day.

"Protect your enthusiasm from the

negativity of others."

Newbies!

My needs:  Boards, paper bowls, AAA batteries.

It was a quiet morning out there.  Nothing like the monsoon we had yesterday.  Wet and damp, but rain free.  I look forward to the cooler mornings, but certainly not what lies ahead.  It was a brutally hot summer here, and while I love the heat, wearing my winter sleeveless vest to hold my cell phone and extra cans caused extra discomfort.  Thanks to my friend Jackie, who recently rode with me twice in one week!, she ordered me a fanny pack to carry my phone in.  How thoughtful.  Thank you Jackie.

I have not done any TNR'g due to the pain I am in to even WALK.  But I have some spots a week from next Monday and I look forward to 'helping' more cats.  They need to be spayed and neutered,and its our responsibility to help.  I have a $500 bill waiting for me at the clinic, so that prevents me from doing more as well.

So I was able to help out a friend who had a mother and kittens running around this past weekend - Mom is still not trapped, but friend is trying.  This is not her first litter.  My foster Sue offered to take in the kittens, and here they are.  We've named all but two.  I have to think of the perfect names for them.  Although that is a joke.  Most people change the kitties names when they adopt them.  :)

ELLIE 

FRANKIE

OLIVE

SPENCER

UNNAMED Boy

UNNAMED Boy

And lets not forget SQUIRT and SNUGGLES!

SNUGGLES

SQUIRT

Have a great day!

"You can do anything, but not everything."

What a Weekend

Lately my Monday posts have been titled the same - WHATAWEEKEND!

Do you all remember Dixie?  Sweet little Miss Dixie?  She was one of three I rescued and fostered when my mother called Easter time to say the feral my mother feeds in Webster had kittens and to come over right away.  Ugh.  Three adorable little babies that were bottle fed their first weeks of life.  Dixie was a cutie.  She was adopted and her family sent me this updated picture, telling me how much they love her.

DIXIE Then

DIXIE Now!

Sad news from this weekend.  So I was driving to drop Mr. Bingsley at his new house, and I received a call from Kim, who was fostering Spindle/Smudgie.  She had called me the night before to say he didn't seem to be doing well, and asked if she could call ARK to make appointment to get him in right away.  She called, but they couldn't take him.  She called her own vet and got an appointment for him the next morning.  He didn't seem to be using the litter box, nor eliminating.  

As I was driving I got a call from Kim who was at the vet, and she wanted to put the vet on the phone.  The vet explained to me all the things going on with Smudgie - bottom line was that he had severe nerve damage in his back end so he never knew if he had to eliminate.  His bladder was so full, they wanted to put him on catheter to empty it - they had no guarantees that any of treatments they suggested would work.   He just walked around and didn't realize that he was eliminating, and could not urinate because he didn't know he had to.  After discussion, and confirmation that the best thing to do for him would be euthanization, we made that decision.  It was a tough one for me, and very tough for Kim.  This cat was already enduring so much...  He had so much love shown to him his last week on earth - and I thank all that cared for him from afar, and helped with his first vet visit.  Rest in peace my little one.

SPINDLE/SMUDGIE

Mr. Bingsley is doing well so far in his new home. He has a sister who is still hissing at him, but she will get over it!  

Mr. Bingsley

Here is what's left on this corner where he and the others came from a few weeks back.  This little boy is just precious - if anyone would care to foster - hoping Mr. Bingsley's former foster steps up soon.  She was GREAT!  We think this is Mr. Bingsley's brother.  

The bottle babies are now named:  Snuggles and Squirt!  Snuggles we believe is a boy, and Squirt is the girl.  This week, they will begin their litter training, and weaning.  Its going to be a process, I know, but it doesn't hurt to start.  Everyone that has held these little ones has been peed on!  They are in their third week of life.  They say between 3-4 weeks they can begin this process.  Sue is the lucky one to have them this week, and I will get them back this weekend.

SQUIRT!

SNUGGLES!

I have the rest of the kittens at my house - Gabby, Teddy, Luke, Moo Moo and Stanley.  They are ADORABLE.  Gabby will be spayed tomorrow, and going to her new home this weekend.  Teddy is also going to a new home this weekend.  I hope his dentist mom loves him!  So we have Luke and Moo Moo and Stanley - kittens - left.

Foster Mom Carol reports that Connor is coming out from hiding and loves to be petted.  He, along with Parsley and Hermie, are so thankful for Carol to give them a home until we find them permanent placement.  Buffy is also there, still lonely in her room, but loved nevertheless.  I am grateful to Carol for being there when I needed her for these emergency situations.

Have a great day!

And God asked the feline spirit Are you ready to come home?

Oh, yes, quite so, replied the precious soul And, as a cat, I am

Most able To decide anything for myself.

Are you coming then? Asked God.  Soon, replied the

Whiskered angel But I must come slowly.  For my human

Friends are troubled.

For you see, they need me, quite certainly.  But don’t they understand?  Asked God

That you’ll never leave them?  That your souls are intertwined for all eternity?  

That Nothing is created or destroyed?  It just is… 

forever and ever and ever.

Eventually they will understand, Replied the glorious cat.  For I will whisper into their

Hearts That I am always with them I just am… 

forever and ever and ever.

Smudgie a/k/a Spindle

So the kitty I rescued

By the way, HAPPY FRIDAY!

The SMUDGSTER

So the kitty I rescued on Tuesday, with the serious problems in the rear end, dripping diarrhea, tail drooping, looked like prolapsed anus (there I said it all), supposedly turned out to be severe worms and diarrhea, is not doing great today, according to his foster mom, Kim.  She believes he needs a recheck.  He's not eating, and the swelling is not going down.  I pray they can get him in to vet today to look at him.  ARK.  Good folks out there.  Little prayer, please.

So I just want to say today that I've been feeding cats in the city for a very long time now.  Ever since I went to the public market after moving into my first home, which was sort of near there, and going to the market very early in the morning on Saturdays, and seeing the eyes of cats in the dark illuminating.  And then going to get food for them.  And then building shelters for them.  And then before you know it, its now 19 locations, and over 100 cats that I feed.  I've been doing all this out of my own pocket.  I started to rescue those that were sick, or too young to be on the street.  I couldn't turn my back on those, back then.  My first post on this blog started out with discovering that there were newborns inside a mattress inside a dilapidated house that was due to be demolished the next day, the huge crane sitting in the driveway, ready to go.  I continued on for years, spending nearly $12K a year on food, and the occasional vetting.  Finally, two years ago, someone had suggested I get my 501c3 to save a little on money, and maybe some vet care.  So I did, and it was pro bono thanks to the old law firm I used to work for.  An awesome senior attorney named Ross and his associates worked diligently for me.

As time went on, I was rescuing more and more cats.  I didn't have fosters back then, and to this day, I have only about five who are serious enough that I can count on in a pinch.  Those five are full today, not able to take any more.  My own house is full.

I've had a few people questioning my judgment about posting pictures of sweet cats on the streets, and not removing them from the streets then and there.  I will get into this further on Monday, as time has run out on me and I must get to work.

Happy thoughts -- how about GOAT YOGA!

Lets do it!!!  Come one come all!!!  :)    Seriously, this awesome girl who took in a 'special' rescue for me has horses, a pig, and a few other farm animals and I am in love with her life!  She is graciously allowing us to use her field and farm to place our mats down, have some goats munching on grass (I cannot promise they will walk on our backs!) and just one on one with nature.  And feeling pretty good after the 45 minute yoga session.  You do not need experience, just a yoga mat, and comfortable clothes.  Please consider, go to my website, and when you click on donate button, make sure you note this is for GOAT YOGA.  I hope to see you there!

Have a great day!

"Be sure to taste your words

before you spit them out."

Hello and Goodbye.

Not much to say today.  Its been a rough week so far.

All kitties fed out there. 

Thanks to Kim in Caledonia for fostering Spindle (who's name will change - I like 'Smudgie' because of the black smudge on his nose).  We have never seen a sweeter cat in our lives.  This cat was in so much pain before I scooped up from Central Park on Tuesday.  He is enduring so much poking and prodding as one of the medications is a gel to be rubbed on his 'bottom half' twice a day - in addition to pills here, and drops there.  But he is a sweetheart.  Will get better pictures of him once his cone of shame is removed.  We can't even tell if he has been neutered!  But soon he will be good to go, ready for adoption,

Stanley is going in for a checkup to get all his stuff done today as well.  He is the little kitten that was trapped this past Friday by the nice couple on Melville.  He is a cutie patootie, and remains in my bathroom until we get him checked out.  Would really like to find a foster for him, he needs space, and he needs to learn how to play.  He is also very lonely looking through the gate at the other cats, wanting to come out to play.

The baby newborn kittens - in their third week of life -  continue to pee on me when I feed them.  But are totally adorable.  I gave them both a bath last night.  They love to roll over on their bellies, and love to be touched. 

Connor is not doing so well.  Carol reports that he is still in hiding and not eating. He is totally traumatized.  I feel terrible.  If you all recall, I rescued him in the late winter of this year, when he was drooling at the mouth, was in terrible shape, from a hut at one of my locations.  I instantly recognized him as a cat I've fed for years about half a mile away, on Baldwin and Grand.  He's an old soul, but now a very expensive one, as he has had a lot of medical issues to over come to be ready for adoption.  He had a great foster, but it was time for her to give him up and we found what we thought would be a good home for him, but it didn't turn out that way.  Connor is best with one other cat, or no cats.  Certainly not dogs.  As I said, I am heartsick over this, as I am for Parsley and Hermie. 

I do wish you all a great day.

The Crazies

It was a very hectic day yesterday, but one by one, I got everything accomplished. 

"Spindle" this morning...  Kitty with Back End Issues!
(Name to be changed soon!)

Kitty with serious back end issues rescued, CHECK

Drop off Catmobile at dealership for major repairs, CHECK

Get Rufus to vet for SIX teeth extractions, CHECK

Get Connor from temporary home, and over to Carol’s business for emergency fostering, CHECK

Pick up Rufus from vet, CHECK

Pick up serious back end issues kitty from vet, pay $350,CHECK

Pickup truck at dealership after work, CHECK

Go home to realize I need to give over 5 meds to serious back end issues kitty because the vet office didn’t, CHECK

Feed and get peed on by Baby Grey and Baby Black, CHECK

Go to bed to toss and turn or hours because of my hip, CHECK

Wake this morning and do it all over again, CHECK.

WHOA!  I'm fallinggggggggggggggg!

"Nice nails Auntie Carol!"

I would like to thank those that donated toward 'Spindle', the back end issues boy who was brought to ARK for emergency visit - costly, as they all are.  To think, when he is better, and is adopted, my adoption fee will be $80, as all adult cats are - and I soak up the $270.  I don't think people realize when they balk at the price.  Go to a regular vet and check out their pricing.  You are getting a huge bargain folks.

Here is one such example:

The weekend also held some drama.  For all of you that are not on Facebook, you are lucky.  You are not sucked into the hottest social media that a gazillion people are tuned into.  You can find out how everyone is doing, just about, just by putting their name in the search bar.  Sometimes you get the crazies…  Some guy noticed that I was posting pictures of cats on my daily route that need homes, after apparently seeing my blog.  I post them on Facebook because there are people out there that will, sooner or later, say: “I’ll take that baby!  Go rescue him, get him vetted, and I will come get him – either to foster or adopt.”  Facebook is a great tool because so many people use it.  All I basically share on Facebook is about cats.   Anyways, this guy noticed this, and thought that I should be rescuing each cat I posted.  How DARE I leave them there in the streets.  And my ‘rescue organization;’ is bogus, and I am a fraud.  After I blocked this crazy (you can press a button and ‘block’ someone from seeing your posts), all of a sudden people said there was another man, with a different name, saying stuff about me.  This new person even – so he says – went out with a posse to my spots on Saturday at 2 am. to ‘help’ me, loaded with supplies, traps etc.  I never saw any evidence that he had, but so he stated.  We believe this person #1 created a fake account to continue to disgrace and discredit my name.  I got angry enough to reply to a few things, professionally (without telling him to go ___________ himself), and I haven’t heard much from either, since.  There are true nutcases out there.  Beware of strangers!

STANLEY!!!

Have a great day!

Never Have I Ever...

had a weekend quite like this one.  Good Gravy.  First make this font large, because I am having an eye issue and have to wear my glasses that I can't see so well out of.  There.  Large font.

Second.  Lets backtrack from today.  Cat with prolapsed rectum.  Yes, its gross, and bad, and I won't share the picture I took.  This kitty has been at my feeding site all summer.  I noticed a smell and then noticed the tail drooping and then kitty let me look under the tail.  Poor thing, suffering so.  I finally had to do something about it after knowing about it for a few days and pondering a plan.  I still have no plan, but it is safe on my porch right now, and I am still trying to find a vet that will take kitty today!  I am sure this will be costly, donations kindly accepted.  I will get kitty's (face) picture up for you soon.  PLEASE HELP - you can click on the button to the right and donate any amount you are able.  I still don't know where kitty will go for the surgery but it has to be fast.  I have not yet fed this starving kitty.  You can note PR Kitty when you donate, I have no name for he/she.  :(

Rufus.  Rufus has stomatitis, and is having dental surgery - teeth extractions today.  He is the hardest of my cats to grab, but I did it.  On his way to the vet for that now.  

The fan in the cat mobile went on me on Thursday.  NOT FUN.  Each morning its been hovering around 80 degrees - at 4 am.  No A/C in the truck is HELL.  I am hot enough because of the sleeveless vest (winter) I wear to keep my phone, and a couple of extra cans of wet food in, so not having air - I have to drive around the hood with my windows open and stick my head and arms out the window to dry off the sweat.  Sorry, TMI.  So truck has been dropped off at dealership to figure out if it can be fixed.  Pray to God.

Yesterday, I got that dreaded message about Connor.  The woman trying to give him a new home with her three other cats (that she adopted from me) and her sweet little dog Daisy, tried and tried, and had to give up after Connor, who hates dogs, went after her, and when she tried to break up the dog/cat fight, she was scratched to pieces.  So today, we have to find him an emergency home to go to, not an easy thing to do.  

On Friday, I received a call just before bedtime by the nice couple on Melville - they trapped a kitten.   Mistakenly.  Not sure how that happened, but could I come get him?  So now I have this wild older feral kitten - what to do.  No larger cage to put him in, so put a plea out on Facebook, but until I could get one the next day, kitten stayed in trap overnight, crying.  I got a cage the next morning, transferred him in, scared out of his mind, and under the blankets he went.  I was fearful to touch him afraid of getting bit.  Finally, sometime on Saturday I put my hand in slowly, and grabbed him by the scruff, and we've been friends ever since!  BETTER picture coming soon. I am thinking of naming him Stanley.  That was my dad's name too.  :) 

STANLEY

On Friday, Baby Grey and Baby Black were brought to my house to take over the feeding, and caring, and loving of these two newborn babies.  Thanks to Kings for doing most of the shifts!  They are thriving. Baby Blackie opened his eyes on Thursday, and by Friday, Baby Grey's eyes opened.  Welcome to the world little ones, we hope you like what you see!  I will need to deworm them quickly, but otherwise, they seem fine.  Thank you to Sue for caring for them their first weeks of life.  I am giving them a birth date of August 20th, which would make them two weeks old?  or is my math really bad....

BABY GREY

BABY BLACKIE and BABY GREY

So...  ya think???  Its been a nightmare - sort of...

Oh, and of course, my confirmed tendinitis in my hip and groin area.   I went for an xray on Friday as well, and now need to do physical therapy.  If anyone has ever had arthritis or tendinitis, you can sympathize with me and the excruciating pain this causes, and for me to walk and feed the cats each morning is very very hard to do.

Gabby

But the best news!  I delivered Chase and Sky and Bo and Daisy to their new homes, on Friday.  The little stinkers are doing great, and are well loved by their new families.  And my good friend and old neighbor Deanna's mom met and fell in love with Gabby yesterday!   So as soon as she is spayed, she will live her life well loved in the country with her soon-to-be older sister.

FROM THIS.....

TO THIS!  

And last but not least, the kitten I trapped last Monday, Peanut, is doing fabulous in his foster home, and she is quite the photographer!  Take a look at this little fella!  

Have a great day!

"Never believe that animals suffer

less than humans.  Pain is the same

for them that it is for us.  Even

worse, because they cannot help

themselves."